Longitudinally collapsible umbrella

ABSTRACT

A longitudinally collapsible umbrella forming a generally flat rectangular package when collapsed in which a fan-like handle (when viewed in side elevation) includes an upwardly opening receptacle having arcuate generally converging side edges including generally beveled bordering edges whereby dome rib tips are progressively oriented into opposed receptacles of the handle, and the wings of a runner, to which the stretcher ribs are pivoted, extends transversely of the handle receptacles and aid to orient the dome ribs from within the receptacle.

United States Patent Seitel Nov. 27, 1973 [54] ggg sg COLLAPSIBLE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,972,161 7/1967 Germany 135 25 R [75] Inventor: Heinz Seitel, Solmgen-Ohhgs,

Germany Primary ExaminerJ. Karl Bell [73] Assignee: Telesco Brophey Limited, AtmmeyAlan Swabey Montreal, uebec, Canada Q [57] ABSTRACT [22] Fled: May 1971 A longitudinally collapsible umbrella forming a gener- 21 A 145 454 ally flat rectangular package when collapsed in which a fan-like handle (when viewed in side elevation) in- Related Apphcatlon D cludes an upwardly opening receptacle having arcuate Continuation of 829971, June 3, generally converging side edges including generally abandonedbeveled bordering edges whereby dome rib tips are progressively oriented into opposed receptacles of the [52] US. Cl. 135/20, 135/26 handle, and the wings of a runner, to which the [51] Int. Cl. A45b 9/02, A45b 19/06 Stretcher ribs are pivoted extends transversely f the [58] Field of Search 135/20, 25, 26, 44 handle receptacles and aid to orient the dome ribs from within the receptacle. [56] References Cited 3 Cl 10 D UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 'awmg gums 2,296,666 9/1942 Haupt 135/26 3,513,863 5/1970 Weber 135/25 R PAIENTEDHUYQT 197s 3.774.627

, saw 1m 3 INVENTOR ////vz Sf/TEL PATENTEDxuvzv 1975 FIG. 10

' INVENTOR A 'm/z Sf/TFL LONGITUDINALLY COLLAPSIBLE UMBRELLA This application is a continuation application of US Ser. No. 829,971, filed June 3, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention An improved handle construction for longitudinally collapsible umbrellas for producing a flat rectangular package when collapsed, and more particularly an improved fan-shaped handle for promoting consistent operation and collapsing of the umbrella.

2. Description of Prior Art In prior art collapsible umbrellas having an upwardly opening receptacle for receiving dome rib tips, the bordering edges of the receptacle were in a single plane, this requiring considerable dexterity on the part of a person-attempting to collapse the umbrella since all dome rib tips had to be properly oriented and aligned before insertion into the handle receptacle; the simultaneous alignment of perhaps eight rib tips and maintaining them for simultaneous insertion in the handle gave rise to inconsistent operation, and general dissatisfaction, as well as excessive damage and wear on the cooperating parts.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The general objects of the invention are to provide an improved handle for longitudinally collapsible umbrellas in which side walls generally project beyond end walls to form an open-sided dome-tip receiving receptacle; in which the handle receptacle accommodates a runner on which stretcher ribs are pivoted; in which the handle side walls diverge outwardly and include beveled camming edges; in which the handle side walls are arcuate so that dome rib tips are progressively engaged from the unbrella stick outwardly so the ribs are engaged and oriented in proper sequence; in which the handle provides a shape conveniently grasped in ones hand; and whereby the handle provides a configuration completely enclosing and concealing the umbrella runner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These together with other and more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken with the drawings forming a part of the description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the collapsed umbrella stowed in a carrying case;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the collapsed umbrella and showing the handle, stick, stretcher ribs and dome ribs;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, the near side wall being removed and the handle bottom wall being sectioned;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken generally on the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to FIG. 5, showing various modifications; and

FIG. is a perspective view of the erected umbrella.

DESCRIPTION OF THE UMBRELLA Referring to FIG. 10, an erected umbrella of the eight dome rib type includes a central stick comprising decreasingly-diametered, tubular elements 2, 3 and 4 extending respectively from a crown piece connected to element 2 and to which is hinged dome ribs 12 on which is suitably secured a flexible, foldable canopy. The tubular elements 2-4 are retained in extended relation by suitable locks; such as spring-urged detents 5 (not shown in detail), and the element 4 will telescope into element 3 and then both elements 3 and 4 will telescope into element 2 when the umbrella is collapsed for storage, for example.

Reciprocably supported on the stick 1 is a runner 7 having diametrical wings 8 and 9 to which are pivotally connected stretcher ribs 10 which are pivoted at 11 to a respective dome rib 12. Reciprocable above runner 7 is an auxiliary runner 13 to which are hinged on wings 14 and 15 auxiliary stretcherribs l6 hinged to intermediate portions of ribs 10.

The umbrella crown, runners 7 and 13 have a generally T-shape in elevation and the head serves to define the relatively flat packaged rectangular cross section of the collapsed umbrella, see FIGS. 3 and 6, for example.

Secured to the lower end of stick .1, i.e., connected to element 4 by means of an upwardly extending pin 33 integral with a narrow bottom 32, is a handle indicated generally at 6. As mentioned, the umbrella, when collapsed, assumes a generally flat rectangular shape, and the handle 6 aids to define this shape.

The handle when viewed in side elevation is generally fan-shaped having sides 17 and 18 integral with the bottom 32 spaced outwardly from pin 33 (diverging upwardly slightly), and having upper, arcuate side margins 24, see FIG. 2, terminating in a slightly arcuate upper edge 27. The inner bordering edges of the sides 17 and 18 are beveled at a merging into inwardly inclined surfaces b continuing to form outer margins of receptacles 20 and 21 which will receive dome rib tips 12' see FIG. 3. The runner 7 in the collapsed-umbrella condition will have end edges 8' and 9 of the respective wings 8 and 9 forming an orienting portion for the ribs 12, and the wings 11 will be received between opposed portions of the walls 17 and 18, see FIGS. 3 and 6 The bottom wall 32 includes transverse, slightly raised end walls 22 and 23 having beveled inner edges 0 at the upper edge which serve to cam the dome tips 12' into the receptacles 20 and 21.

The bottom wall 32 has formed in upwardly extending relation, a well 30 into which is received the lower tubular sleeve portion 7 of the runner 7, see FIG. 3, and the sleeve portion 7 includes the usual laterallydisplaceable lock or latch 31.

The walls 27 and 18 project at least out to the edge 19 of walls 22 and 23 (or therebeyond), and the walls 17 and 18 are of sufficient height to enclose the wings of runner 7, as seen in FIG. 3, and since the wings 8 and 9 are retained between walls 17 and 18, the runner 7 cannot twist on stick I when the umbrella is collapsed. The arcuate margins 24 assist when inserting the collapsed umbrella into a rectangularly cross-sectioned carrying case 26, see FIG. 1, but have an additional orienting function with respect to dome tips 12.

Considering FIG. 5, the innermost tips 12' are shown by phantom lines as just engaging beveled edge a and the tips will be cammed toward surfaces b, and since the inner dome tips first engage the portion 27 closest to stick element 4, as the collapsing continues, the outermost tips 12' will then engage a more outward portion of edge 24, engaging the beveled surface which urges the tips inwardly, eventually striking beveled surface of end walls 22 and 23. Thus, the tips are progressively or successively engaged by camming surfaces urging them into the receptacles 20 and 21.

In FIG. 7, the same general handle arrangement 6 is provided, however, the walls 17' and 18 include only the upper beveled portion a which is considerably deeper or of greater width than bevels a of FIGS. 4 and 5. The end walls 22 and 23 (not shown) have bevels 0, however, the inner surfaces of walls 17' and 18 are generally parallel.

In FIG. 8, the walls 17" and 18" are relatively thin and converge downwardly to form a relatively wide mouth at the upper edge of the receptacle in which the dome tips 12 will be received and are guided by beveled surfaces a to inclined inner or lower camming surfaces b.

In FIG. 9, the walls 17" and 18" are relatively thin and upper arcuate portions 28 and 29 which form arcuate camming surfaces a and the walls are of generally uniform thickness.

According to the described embodiments, an exceptionally flat umbrella is produced, and the dome rib tips are grouped or oriented into handle receptacles in an expeditious and consistent manner without excessive strain or umbrella damage. The rib tips are progressively oriented, i.e., they first engage surfaces a and subsequently engage surfaces b, or the equivalent. Further, the inner rib tips 12' engage the margin 27 adjacent the stick 1, and continued collapse of the umbrella results in the outer ribs engaging outer of lateral portions of margin 24, below the portions of edge 27 which were first engaged by the inner tips. The outer ribs will engage camming surfaces c of end walls 22, 23, and the runner 7 will have its sleeve 7' engaged in well 30, and the wings 7 and 8 are received or confined between walls 17 and 18; the outer ends 8'9 of the wings serving to engage and orient the inner rib tips 12'see FIG. 6. The fan shape of the handle facilitates insertion into case 26, and the shape of the handle facilitates insertion into case 26, and the shape of the handle lends to comfortable and secure grasping in ones hand.

The umbrella dome or flexible covering is likewise received in the upwardly diverging, generally wide mouth of the handle, thus promoting a smooth uniform packaged umbrella without unsightly bulges.

I claim:

1. In a longitudinally-collapsible umbrella comprising a collapsible stick, a handle at one end of said stick, a crown at the other end of the stick, at least one runner reciprocably supported on said stick, a canopy secured to said crown, collapsible dome ribs connected to said canopy and including tips receivable in said handle, stretcher rib connected to said dome ribs and runner and providing a generally rectangular package when the umbrella is collapsed, said runner being generally T-shaped in side elevation, including a depending, tubular guide sleeve extending toward said handle and diametrically opposed wings integral with the upper end of said guide sleeve, the improvement in which said handle includes relatively wide side walls integral with a bottom wall and projecting upwardly therefrom, said side walls having a width at an upper portion at least equal to the span of said opposed runner wings and a height equal to that of said guide sleeve for removably and completely enclosing the runner therebetween when the umbrella is collapsed and folded, said side I walls including free side margins diverging in a substantial are from the ends of said wings and outwardly to the handle bottom wall and forming therewith, at opposite sides of and below said wings, laterally-opening pockets into which the umbrella dome tips are progressively guided and received as the umbrella is collapsed and folded, said umbrella handle being of a shape readily conforming to the anatomy of a users hand.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said bottom wall includes transverse end walls adjacent the 

1. In a longitudinally-collapsible umbrella comprising a collapsible stick, a handle at one end of said stick, a crown at the other end of the stick, at least one runner reciprocably supported on said stick, a canopy secured to said crown, collapsible dome ribs connected to said canopy and including tips receivable in said handle, stretcher rib connected to said dome ribs and runner and providing a generally rectangular package when the umbrella is collapsed, said runner being generally Tshaped in side elevation, including a depending, tubular guide sleeve extending toward said handle and diametrically opposed wings integral with the upper end of said guide sleeve, the improvement in which said handle includes relatively wide side walls integral with a bottom wall and projecting upwardly therefrom, said side walls having a width at an upper portion at least equal to the span of said opposed runner wings and a height equal to that of said guide sleeve for removably and completely enclosing the runner therebetween when the umbrella is collapsed and folded, said side walls including free side margins diverging in a substantial arc from the ends of said wings and outwardly to the handle bottom wall and forming therewith, at opposite sides of and below said wings, laterally-opening pockets into which the umbrella dome tips are progressively guided and received as the umbrella is collapsed and folded, said umbrella handle being of a shape readily conforming to the anatomy of a user''s hand.
 2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said bottom wall includes transverse end walls adjacent the bottom wall at the free margins for retaining the dome rib tips in the laterally-opening pockets.
 3. The structure as Claimed in claim 1 in which said free margins include an inner camming surface bordering the same on the inner surfaces of said side walls for assisting in guiding the dome rib tips into said pockets. 